Everything old is new again; especially when it comes to, Paulie ?Magic Man? Malignaggi (28-4-0 (6KO). Paulie well known for his fights with Khan,Hatton and Cotto has entered a new stage of his career. He has a new weight division (147), a new promoter(GBP) and is looking forward to new opportunities for great fights with possible world championship.
Whether you love him or hate him, Paulie is one of the most out-spoken,exciting to watch and humble fighters in the ring today. Paulie believes he still has enough left to achieve something ?magical? in his new weight class. He is prepared to take on any or all challengers who are anxious to step into the ring against the ?Magic Man.?
Catching up with the busy fighter and man about town wasn?t easy. In the end, Paulie always the gentleman, made it all worthwhile; with his no nonsense and spirited answers. Here is what we discussed:
BD How would you evaluate your performance against Lozada? PM I would personally give myself a B, It was just a tune up and a fight I was suppose to win. First fight working with my new trainer, so we were testing the waters and trying new things. I felt good and can?t wait for my next fight.
BD What do you need to continue to work on? PM You can?t perfect anything when it comes to boxing, so I?m in the gym working on everything.
BD Who is your current trainer? PM Eric Brown from Wild Card Gym.
BD Do you feel comfortable at welterweight? PM Yes, It was way overdue. I should of moved up to welterweight a few fights ago but Now I feel healthy and comfortable.
BD Was this a logical move for you? PM Yes, not to many fighters stay at one weight class their whole career. I had to move up, making weight was getting difficult at 140.
BD Getting your fist stoppage since 2003,what has that done for your career and your confidence? PM It always feels good to get a stoppage but I don?t go into fights looking for a stoppage, if it comes it comes. I?m looking for that victory, that?s on my mind the whole time when I fight.
BD How do you think you stack up against others in the welterweight division? PM I always bring something to the table and a magician always has one last trick up his sleeve.
BD Where do you fit into the mix? PM Right now just trying to build my name back up to get back on TV. I don?t want to get to ahead of myself right now but I will be back in the mix and my name will be mentioned as a contender one more time.
BD Why the 360 with Golden Boy know your past dealing with them? PM I always respected Golden Boy and teaming up with them has been great so far. I look forward to keep doing business with them.
BD Did you ever seriously consider retiring after the Khan fight? PM It crossed my mind but a fighter always has at least one more run in them.
BD What is your greatest boxing accomplishment to date? PM Winning the title at 140.
BD What are your goals for 2011? PM I want to back in the spotlight and get one more title match.
BD Of heart,skill,speed or power which do you possess the most of? PM Heart, you won?t ever see me give up!
BD Do you believe your ?name value? can bring you the big fights this year? PM I think so, I think my name holds enough weight to get me a good match.
BD Critics, love to hate you and can be pretty cruel at times,how do you deal with that? PM It don?t bother me at all, they don?t have to go to the gym everyday and train then step in the ring and get punched. They don?t know what it feels like to get punched in the face, so what they have to say about me or other fighters don?t matter. This is a real sport, they expect us to perform at the best level every time but have no clue what it feels like to take a shot to the body or face. When they can step in the ring for one round with Khan, Cotto, Hatton etc, then I?ll listen to what they have to say. Until then they can continue to write about me, it keeps me in the limelight. Thanks!
BD It?s obvious you still have your hand speed at the higher weight do you see more stoppages in your future? PM Like I said before, I?m not here to knock people out, I?m here to put on a boxing lesson and to get a victory that?s my goal. If a knock out happens, god bless!
BD What would be your ?dream fight? in 2011? PM I would love to fight Mayweather, he?s the best P4P. Everyone knows, I want to compete with the best.
BD Do you see boxing just as a payday or is it your passion? PM A little of both.
BD What is the hardest lesson boxing has taught you? PM Don?t trust everyone.
BD If you could go 1 round with any boxer in history, who would it be? PM Marciano.
BD How would you like to leave your mark on the sport of boxing? PM That I put my life on the line with every fight.
BD Last question, how can we keep boxing strong? PM That?s a question for another day. I?ll be here all day, typing and I?m not a fan of typing. LOL.
BD Thanks for the time Paulie. PM Thank you.
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